PADRES: Tull isn't among finalists for Padres' ownership

SAN DIEGO ---- One fewer candidate remains in the pool for Padres ownership as Thomas Tull is out, a source with knowledge of the sale said on Tuesday afternoon.

Tull, the CEO of Legendary Pictures, was informed that his group isn't among several finalists for the sale, which could be complete in two-to-four weeks, said an industry source, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A spokesperson for Tull declined to comment.

Padres majority owner John Moores put the team up for sale on April 10.

The price tag for the franchise, which has a Forbes-estimated value of $458 million, is expected to top the $530 million minority owner Jeff Moorad agreed to pay Moores in January 2009. That deal fell through earlier this year.

Moores didn't immediately return a request for comment.

A group featuring Peter O'Malley ---- son of longtime Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley ---- and PGA Tour star and Rancho Santa Fe resident Phil Mickelson is said to have high interest in the Padres and must be considered strong contenders.

Several other finalists have not been named publicly, the source said.

Tull last month received the blessing of Padres Hall of Fame outfielder Tony Gwynn, who met with the movie mogul and later announced his belief Tull was the right person to become the Padres' next owner.

Gwynn and his agent, John Boggs, said Gwynn would join the group in an undetermined role.

On Tuesday, Boggs ---- who said he's unaware of Tull's status regarding ownership ---- said Gwynn expected to join the group in an advisory role only and had no financial stake.

"The interest was not financial, but an individual who could give counsel on the baseball operational side," Boggs said.

Tull is one of five parties who have been identified as having interest in the Padres.

Moores told MLB.com that billionaire Steve Cohen has shown interest.

Chicago White Sox executive and former sports agent Dennis Gilbert and Houston developer David S. Wolff have also expressed interest.